Pregnancy is characterized by a great number of metabolic physiological changes. The present study was designed to assess the levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin (Hb), proteinuria, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in pregnant women in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 100 participants aged between 18 and 36 (22.5±3.5) years were randomly recruited for the study. The participants were grouped as follows: 50 pregnant women and 50 non pregnant women. Thereafter, 5mls each of blood samples were collected from the participants into fluoride oxalate and EDTA containers for the determination of fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin levels respectively using standard method. Urine samples were also collected for urinalysis while the SBP and DBP of the subjects was measured using sphygmomanometer. The result showed that the mean FBS level was significantly lower in pregnant women compared to the control group (p<0.05), while proteinuria, SBP, and DBP were significantly higher in pregnant women than in control (p<0.05) respectively. However, the mean Hb level were similar between both groups (p>0.05). Also, FBS level was significantly lower while proteinuria, SBP and DBP were significantly higher in pregnant women with 6months of pregnancy than those with 5months of pregnancy respectively (p<0.05). Therefore, the implication of this finding is that the pregnant women had neither gestational diabetes mellitus nor anemia rather preeclampsia was predominant among the study population.

Certain physiological changes occur during normal pregnancy. These changes when exaggerated could result to adverse maternal outcome. Adverse cardiovascular outcomes have been previously linked with hypoalbuminemia in the general population. Few reports exist about serum albumin level in second and third trimester of pregnancy. Our study aims at determining serum albumin level in second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This was a case-control study involving randomly selected 40 non pregnant and 77 pregnant women in Makurdi, Nigeria. The participants were subdivided into 3 comparable groups; control n=40, second trimester n=37 and third trimester n=40. Mean age, body mass index (BMI), and serum albumin in the study groups were compared using ANOVA. Associations of age, BMI, gestation age and albumin were determined using Pearson correlation analysis. Serum albumin level was significantly (P<0.0004) lower in the pregnant groups compared to the controls. A post hoc test reveals a significant (P<0.0001) lower serum albumin in third trimester group than in second trimester and controls. Conclusion: Knowledge about hypoalbuminemia during pregnancy will help distinguish pathological hypoalbuminemia during antenatal checkup.

The aim of this experimental was to compare the durability of the use of the study transpedicular screw supported by dowel or bone cement. In this experimental study which was performed on fresh frozen calf vertebrae, two groups were formed. 7 fresh frozen calf vertebrae were used in each group (n=7). A transpedicular screw supported by a dowel was placed to the left side of the vertebrae and a transpedicular screw supported by bone cement was placed to the right side. Then mechanical pulling force was applied to these groups. The force at which the pull out of the screw occurred and the expansion value up to the moment of pulling out were recorded. There was no fracture in any subject. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of pulling out and expansion value (p = 0.58). There is no difference in durability between the uses of a transpedicular screw supported by a dowel or bone cement.